Collier and Bell combined to take the crucial doubles against Pete Griffiths and Dale Dickenson, who each won two singles for Express.

In Division Two, Manor Park Rangers were in fine form against X Police, winning 10-0 with maximums from Matt Lang, Richard Cullis and Lawrence Dodd.

Promotion challengers Scuttling Gang kept up the pressure with a whitewash of Poolbrook Wanderers through three wins from Bill Smith, Chris Field and Richard McKenna.

Dynamos defeated Upton 6-4 with a maximum from John Phillips alongside two wins for Geoff Burford and one for Tom James.

Pete Nash (2) and Mark Davies replied for Upton, who also clinched the doubles.

Manuel Peral was in fine form for YMCA Vulcans, winning his three games in a 7-3 victory against Nomads.

Beryl Shammon and John Cawthra also contributed two successes for Vulcans, while Dave Hayes (2) replied and clinched the doubles with Tony Hughes.

Crackpots ‘D’ enjoyed a successful Division Three spell with a 6-4 victory over promotion rivals Manor Park Devils thanks to another maximum from Frank Lane, who was ably supported by James Palmer (2).

Lane and Palmer took the doubles, while Paul Lythgoe (2), Liz Hallam and Denis Chetwood hit back for Devils.

Crackpots ‘D’ then beat Poolbrook Panthers 7-3 as Bob Rhodes replaced Lane and earned three wins and the doubles with Palmer, who added two singles wins and Tim Dolding one.

Ewan Gear (2) and league debutant David Hunt replied for Panthers.

The promotion clash between Tornados and Crackpots ‘B’ resulted in a narrow 6-4 win for the former despite a maximum from Matt White.